Hypocrisy and Hypocrites

I would like to share one of the things that Jesus rebuked harshly and directly, without fear of men and without compromising the word of God and it was called: Hypocrisy and/or Hypocrites. Let us go directly to the point of what these words mean:

Hypocrisy

5272. hupokrisis hoop-ok'-ree-sis from 5271; acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy"):--condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy.

Hypocrite

5273. hupokrites hoop-ok-ree-tace' from 5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite":--hypocrite.

We normally use the word "pharisee" to describe a person who calls himself a christian but they just act like if they were christians, but in reality do not live like a true disciple of  Jesus Christ at all. The pharisees were actually Jewish religious people who were supposed to obey the law given by God to Moses. So, let us check what this word means as well:

Pharisee

5330. Pharisaios far-is-ah'-yos of Hebrew origin (compare 6567 ) ,a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary:--Pharisee.

Wikipedia - from Hebrew פְּרוּשִׁים pĕrûšîm, pl. of פָּרוּשׁ pārûš, meaning “set apart);


Let us check the scriptures why Jesus rebuked the hypocrites so harshly:

Matthew 23:1-5 ; 13-16 ; 23-28 ; 29-36

 ¹ Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, ² saying: “The scribes ( 1122. grammateus gram-mat-yooce' from 1121. a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary:--scribe, town-clerk. )  and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,^[a]that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. ⁴ For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. ⁵ But all their works they do to be seen by men.

¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ¹⁴ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.^[c]
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
¹⁶ “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. ²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.^{[f] 26} Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. ²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.    

Verse 28

The word hypocrisy in this verse is-  5212. humeteros hoo-met'-er-os from 5210; yours, i.e. pertaining to you:--your (own).

The word lawlessness is-  458. anomia an-om-ee'-ah from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness:--iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

²⁹ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰ and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
³¹ “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. ³³ Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? ³⁴ Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, ³⁵ that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Matthew 6: 1- 8 ; 16-18

¹ “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ² Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ³ But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.<sup>[a]


5</sup> “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^{[b] 7} And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

¹⁶ “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^[d]

Matthew 7:1-5

¹ “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 15:7-9 ; 15-20 Jesus speaking:

 ⁷ Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
⁸ ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And^[e]honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
⁹ And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”<sup>[f]

15</sup> Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
¹⁶ So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷ Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? ¹⁸ But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. ²⁰ These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Matthew 22:17-18

¹⁷ Tell us (pharisees), therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?

Luke 12: 1-3 ; 56

¹ In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. ³ Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

⁵⁶ Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

Luke 13:14-17

¹⁴ But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
¹⁵ The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite!^[b] Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? ¹⁶ So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” ¹⁷ And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

Romans 12:9

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy (dissimulation). Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

hypocrisy in this verse is dissimulation:

505. anupokritos an-oo-pok'-ree-tos from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 5271; undissembled, i.e. sincere:--without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned.

1 Timothy 1:5

⁵ Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith (unpretended faith, without dissimulation - greek: 505)

1 Timothy 4:2

¹ Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy (strong's number: 5272- see above), having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

1 Peter 2:1-3 (Interlinear Greek English Bible)

¹ Then, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies (5272), and envies, and all evil words, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure soul-nourishing milk , that you may grow by it,  if indeed you tasted that the Lord is good.

Concluding, we clearly see in the scriptures that Jesus does not want us just obeying words written as a tradition, a ritual or a habit, but He wants us to obey His commands with all the love in our hearts, we must obey Him from the heart, not just because somebody is demanding you to do so! Or just for men to see what you are doing for Christ or people! Hypocrites today are those who even preach and teach the word of God but they themselves do not obey it! Let us not deceive ourselves, but let us obey God with all our hearts, souls and minds and LIVE the abundant life that Christ has for us on the earth and in heaven!

We must know that to be a real disciple of Christ envolves dying to self, to your own will, envolves suffering, persecution, sincerity, prayer, fastings, reading and obeying the scriptures and have much pure love in order to overcome the world, the flesh and satan and to grow into maturity with Christ.

I pray that you may NOT be found a hypocrite, BUT a faithful servant of Jesus Christ filled with His Holy Spirit and dressed spiritually with the full armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.


May God bless all those who truly walk in Him and grant repentance to those who are hypocrites,

Cynthia R. Palmer

Mulheres no Episcopado?

Por: Tyrone D. Palmer

Traducao: Cynthia R. Palmer
This message is also written in English on July 2nd, 2011
Sábado 2 de julho de 2011

Bispas ou Superintendentes do sexo feminino? O que a Palavra de Deus diz?

Depois de muita oração, jejum, fazendo perguntas ao Senhor, procurando outros sites, e recebendo a correção do Espírito Santo eu vim a entender que as palavras que Paulo escreveu em 1 Timóteo 2:8-15 sobre mulheres em cargos de bispas ou superintendentes e em posicao de ensinar homens  é verdade e aplica-se ao corpo de Cristo hoje. Ele não estava apenas dando sua opinião sobre esse assunto na igreja, e não foi escrito somente para aqueles na cultura de sua época.

Muitas vezes usamos 2 Timóteo 3:16-17 para validar uma escritura particular ou crença que nós
sentimos ser bem forte , mas quando se trata do que Paulo escreveu sobre as mulheres ensinando aos homens e exercendo autoridade sobre eles, muitos tentam explicar o que foi escrito ou evitam as escrituras completamente. Mas o Senhor me chamou para falar sobre este assunto e  é exatamente o que vou fazer pela unção de Seu Espírito, Sua Palavra, e minha compreensão atual das escrituras inspiradas. Este não foi um caminho fácil para mim e eu lutei com esta palavra, sei que pode ofender alguns, mas devo obedecer a Deus e não a homens. Saiba que eu apresento esta verdade com o amor que Cristo tem derramado em meu coração através de Seu Espírito, e lembre-se que o verdadeiro amor fala a verdade, mesmo quando você sabe que haverá discordância, reprovação e perseguição, mas fazer a vontade do Pai é de maior importância para mim.

Nesta mensagem eu estarei utilizando minha Bíblia chamada: A Bíblia Interlinear Grego -Inglês Novo Testamento Vol IV (The Interlinear Bible Greek-English New Testament Vol IV) para citações de escrituras, já que esta Bíblia oferece a tradução mais exata do texto original.

Agora, vamos verificar as escrituras em;

 1 Timóteo 2:8-15

Quero, pois, que os homens orem em todo lugar, levantando mãos santas, sem ira e sem contenda. Quero, do mesmo modo, que as mulheres se ataviem com trajes decentes, com modéstia  e  sobriedade, não com tranças, ou com ouro, ou pérolas, ou vestidos custosos, mas (como convém a mulheres que fazem profissão de servir a Deus) com boas obras. A mulher aprenda em silêncio com toda a submissão. Pois não permito que a mulher ensine, nem tenha domínio(exercer autoridade)  sobre o homem, mas que esteja em silêncio. Porque primeiro foi formado Adão, depois Eva. E Adão não foi enganado, mas a mulher, sendo enganada, caiu em transgressão; salvar-se-á, todavia, dando a luz filhos, se permanecer com sobriedade na fé, no amor e na santificação.

*sem contenda- sem discussao, sem duvidar
*trajes decentes - kosmios - de bom comportamento, decente
*modéstia - (aos homens) modesto, (a Deus) reverente, sem causar vergonha
*sobriedade - sóbrio (natural, sem complicação,simples,reservado, moderado)
*salvar-se-á - será salva, preservada,protegida, curada, irá bem

A palavra "silencio" aqui é a palavra grega hesuchia (2271) . hesuchia feno-soo-khee' ah-feminino de 2272; (como substantivo) quietude, desistência de linguagem : -. silêncio sossego.

O que eu estava pedindo a Deus quando o Espírito Santo trouxe estas escrituras para mim foi, "Essas escrituras significam exatamente o que elas dizem? Se aplicam ao corpo de Cristo hoje? Se "toda a Escritura é inspirada por Deus e proveitosa para ensinar, para repreender, para corrigir, para instruir em justiça, de modo que o homem de Deus seja perfeito, totalmente habilitado para toda boa obra ", então essas escrituras significam exatamente o que elas dizem, e elas podem ser aplicadas ao corpo de Cristo (aos santos).

Observe a explicação que Paulo deu do porque ele não permitiu que as mulheres ensinarem ou exercerem autoridade sobre os homens, ele percorreu todo o o caminho de volta para Genesis e Adão e Eva. Este é o lugar onde encontramos o decreto que Deus mesmo fez a Eva (e a cada mulher depois de Eva) por causa do que ela fez.

Gênesis 3:16

E  amulher disse: Multiplicarei grandemente a dor da tua conceição; em dor darás `a luz filhos; e o teu desejo será para o teu marido, e ele te dominará.
" A palavra 'dominara' aqui é a palavra grega Kurieuo (2961). kurieuo ko-ree-yoo'-o a partir de 2962; a regra : - -ter domínio sobre, senhor, ser senhor de, exercer domínio sobre.

Deus tem voltado atrás em Sua palavra? Será que Ele mudou de idéia depois de alguns milênios e decidiu: "Bem, ja foi suficiente o tempo em que mulheres ficaram sem exercer dominio sobre os homens, entao agora as mulheres devem ir em frente e domimarem sobre os homens e terem autoridade sobre eles na Igreja"? Será que nos perdemos esta proclamação? Sabemos que é impossível para Deus mentir e Ele não mudou sua mente ou Sua palavra!

Quando Paulo escreveu em 1 Timóteo 2:12-15 ele estava apenas reiterando o que Deus já havia dito no livro do Gênesis. E para nos ajudar a compreender que o que Paulo escreveu é verdade , veja o que ele disse nos versículos 5-7

"Porque há um só Deus, e um só Mediador entre Deus e os homens, Cristo Jesus, homem, o qual se deu a si mesmo em resgate por todos, para servir de testemunho a seu tempo; para o que (digo a verdade, não minto) eu fui constituído pregador e apóstolo, mestre dos gentios na fé e na verdade".

 Em Apocalipse 2:18-20 O próprio Jesus confirma a palavra que Paulo deu a respeito das mulheres ensinando na assembléia.

"Ao anjo da igreja em Tiatira escreve: Isto diz o Filho de Deus, que tem os olhos como chama de fogo, e os pés semelhantes a latão reluzente: Conheço as tuas obras, e o teu amor, e a tua fé, e o teu serviço, e a tua perseverança, e sei que as tuas últimas obras são mais numerosas que as primeiras. Mas tenho contra ti que toleras a mulher Jezabel, que se diz profetisa; ela ensina e seduz os meus servos a se prostituírem e a comerem das coisas sacrificdas a ídolos;... "

Estas escrituras nos dizem que a igreja em Tiatira no primeiro século tinha uma mulher chamada Jezabel, que chamava-se de profetisa e ensinava na congregacao, ela seduziu-os e levou-os a fornicar e a comer sacrifícios a ídolos. Jesus tinha isso contra a igreja e os advertiu sobre isso. Esta verdade 
diretamente de Jesus nos permite saber que as mulheres não têm permissão para ensinar os homens na igreja.

1 Timóteo 3:1-13

Fiel é esta palavra: Se alguém aspira ao episcopado, excelente obra deseja. É necessário, pois, que o bispo seja irrepreensível, marido de uma só mulher, temperante, sóbrio, ordeiro, hospitaleiro, apto para ensinar; não dado ao vinho, não espancador, mas moderado, inimigo de contendas, não ganancioso; que governe bem a sua própria casa, tendo seus filhos em sujeição, com todo o respeito (pois, se alguém não sabe governar a sua própria casa, como cuidará da igreja de Deus?); não neófito (novo convertido), para que não se ensoberbeça e venha a cair na condenação do Diabo. Também é necessário que tenha bom testemunho dos que estão de fora, para que não caia em opróbrio, e no laço do Diabo. Da mesma forma os diáconos sejam sérios, não de língua dobre, não dados a muito vinho, não cobiçosos de torpe ganância, guardando o mistério da fé numa consciência pura. E também estes sejam primeiro provados, depois exercitem o diaconato, se forem irrepreensíveis. Da mesma sorte as mulheres sejam reverentes, não maldizentes (nao acusem falsamente), temperantes, e fiéis em tudo. Os diáconos sejam maridos de uma só mulher, e governem bem a seus filhos e suas próprias casas. Porque os que servirem bem como diáconos, adquirirão para si um lugar honroso e muita confiança na fé que há em Cristo Jesus.

A primeira coisa que é muito clara sobre bispos e diáconos é que eles devem ser maridos de uma só mulher, esta verdade exclui as mulheres de serem bispos e diáconos na igreja.

O que é um bispo?

1985. episkopos ep-is'-kop-os a partir de 1909 e 4649 (no sentido de 1983 ); um superintendente , ou seja, oficial cristao no comando de um caso genitivo (ou a) igreja (literal ou figurativamente):. - superintendente ,bispo.

O que é um diácono?

1249. diakonos dee-ak'-on-os , provavelmente, a partir de um diako obsoletos (para rodar em recados; comparar 1377); um atendente , ou seja, (caso genitivo) garçom (na mesa ou em outras tarefas braçais); -. diácono, ministro, servo.

O que o Senhor me mostrou ao longo dos últimos anos anos no deserto é que Ele não escolhe sexo feminino para serem superintendentes e ensinar toda a assembleia ou para estar em posições de autoridade sobre os homens.

Eu nao estou dizendo que as mulheres não são chamadas por Deus, ou que nao tenham dom ou dons do Espírito, elas definitivamente sao chamadas por Deus, mas elas não são chamadas para ser apóstolos, evangelistas, pastores , professores, bispos (supervisores) , anciãos ou diáconos.

Mulheres são chamadas para serem profetas como minha esposa Cynthia foi escolhida pelo Senhor para este oficio, mas profetas não supervisionam a igreja e como uma mulher ela não pode ensinar ou exercer autoridade sobre homens.

De acordo com 1Corinthians 14:1-5 profetas trazem edificação, exortação e conforto para o corpo de Cristo. Eles também podem receber sonhos, visões, detalhes específicos da vida de uma pessoa, e  profecias de eventos futuros, etc ..

 "Segui o amor; e procurai com zelo os dons espirituais, mas principalmente o de profetizar.Porque o que fala em língua não fala aos homens, mas a Deus; pois ninguém o entende; porque em espírito fala mistérios. Mas o que profetiza fala aos homens para edificação, exortação e consolação. O que fala em língua edifica-se a si mesmo, mas o que profetiza edifica a igreja. Ora, quero que todos vós faleis em línguas, mas muito mais que profetizeis, pois quem profetiza é maior do que aquele que fala em línguas, a não ser que também intercede para que a igreja receba edificação. "

Em conclusão, Deus decretou que o homem seria o cabeça da mulher e que ele governaria sobre ela. As escrituras nos ensinam como um marido deve amar e tratar sua mulher, assim como Cristo amou a igreja e a si mesmo se entregou por ela, que é um padrão muito alto para atender, mas é possível com a ajuda do Espírito Santo. Por outro lado, as mulheres são chamadas a submeter-se aos seus maridos como ao Senhor e respeitá-los, isso pode ser muito difícil para as mulheres fazerem quando os homens que as dominam abusam delas, etc ..

Muito proximo esta o dia em que Jesus vai restaurar a Sua igreja, Seu corpo, à maneira como Ele projetou e ordenou que ele seja. É bastante óbvio para todos que a igreja que vemos hoje está fora de ordem e não está funcionando do jeito que Deus ordenou que fosse. Quanto mais cedo todos nós nos submetermos e humilharmos-nos à Sua vontade e Sua palavra,  mais cedo veremos a glória e o poder de Deus no meio da assembléia mais uma vez!

Eu encorajo todos vocês a esta verdade e a orar e jejuar sobre este assunto, obter a confirmação do Senhor, buscá-Lo com todo seu coração e Ele será encontrado por você. Este é realmente um tema que pode dividir o corpo e os gêneros, mas Deus quer ordem, unidade, e paz no corpo de Cristo. E Ele terá uma noiva sem mancha e sem mácula preparada para Seu Filho Jesus.

Com todo o amor e verdade,

Tyrone

What Is A Christian?

To answer this question let’s take a look at the Greek definition of the word for ‘Christian’.

5546. Christianos khris-tee-an-os' from 5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:--Christian.

So a Christian is one who follows Christ.

The word ‘Disciple’ means:

3101. mathetes math-ay-tes' from 3129; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.

Acts 11:25-26

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

A Disciple or Christian is one who is a learner and follower of Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave everyone conditions to meet in order to be His disciple. Let’s take a look at them.

Mark 8:34-38

“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

A condition we must meet if we desire to follow Jesus is to deny ourselves, and what does it mean to deny yourself?

It means to disown your very life and surrender it to Jesus. And taking your cross means to willingly die to self, to sacrifice and give up your life everyday to follow Jesus and do the will of God, not your own.

Luke 9:23-26

“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

To follow Jesus requires a daily sacrifice of your life, time, and resources.

Luke 14:25-33

“Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Another condition that we must meet in order to be a disciple of Jesus is not to put anyone or anything above Him.

The word ‘hate’ used in the above scriptures means:

3404. miseo mis-eh'-o from a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:--hate(-ful).

If we do not abandon, let go of, and forsake every possession we own in this life we cannot be His disciple.

Matthew 10:34:39

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

John 14:21,23

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me."

Jesus made it absolutely clear what a Christian is, and if we don’t meet His conditions and keep His commandments, then we cannot follow Him, we do not love Him, we will not be worthy of Him, and in the end we will lose our very souls.

Here is a link to an excellent message that goes even deeper into what it means to deny yourself and take up your cross.

http://www.buildinghishouse.org/articles/denyself.shtml

With Love,
Tyrone

Female Overseers? What Does The Word Of God Say?

After much prayer, fasting, asking questions of the Lord, searching other websites, and receiving correction from the Holy Spirit I have come to understand that the words Paul wrote in 1st Timothy 2:8-15 concerning women in overseer positions and teaching men is truth and applies to the body of Christ today. He was not just giving his opinion on this subject in the church, and it was not written only to those in the culture of his day.

We often use 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to validate a particular scripture or belief we feel strongly about, but when it comes to what Paul wrote about women teaching men and having authority over them, many try to explain away what was written or avoid the scriptures altogether. But the Lord has called me to speak on this matter and that's exactly what I will do by the anointing of His Spirit, His word, and my present understanding of the inspired scriptures. This has not been an easy road for me and I have wrestled with this word, it may offend some, but I must obey God rather than men. Know that I present this truth with the love that Christ has shed abroad in my heart by His Spirit, and remember that true love speaks the truth even when you know there is going to be disagreement, reproach, and persecution, but doing the will of the Father is of first importance to me.

On this post I'll be using my Interlinear Greek English New Testament for scripture quotes, as this bible is the most accurate translation of the original text.

Now, let's take a look at the scriptures in 1st Timothy 2:8-15

"Therefore, I desire the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. Likewise also the women to adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and sensibleness, not with plaiting, or gold, or pearls, or expensive garments, but what becomes women professing fear of God, through good works. Let a woman learn in silence, in all subjection. But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived has come to be in transgression; but she will be saved through the bearing of children, if they remain in faith and love and holiness, with sensibleness."

The word 'silence' here is the Greek word Hesuchia and means:

2271. hesuchia hay-soo-khee'-ah feminine of 2272; (as noun) stillness, i.e. desistance from bustle or language:--quietness, silence.

The questions I have been asking God when the Holy Spirit brought these scriptures out to me was, 'do these scriptures mean exactly what they say? Do they apply to the body of Christ today?

If "every scripture is  God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; so that the man of God may be perfect, fully furnished for every good work," then these scriptures mean exactly what they say, and they can be applied to the body of Christ and church structure today.

Notice the explanation Paul gave for the reason he did not allow women to teach or exercise authority over men; he went all the way back to Genesis and Adam and Eve. This is where we find the decree God Himself made to Eve (and every woman thereafter) because of what she did.

Genesis 3:16

"And to the woman he said, In multiplying I will multiply your distresses, and your moanings. In distresses you will bear children, and to your husband your submission, and he will dominate you"

The word 'dominate' here is the Greek word Kurieuo and means:

2961. kurieuo ko-ree-yoo'-o from 2962; to rule:--have dominion over, lord, be lord of, exercise lordship over.

Has God gone back on His word? Did He change His mind after a few millenia and decide, well you know it's been long enough and women should go ahead and rule over men now and have authority over them in the church? Did we miss this proclamation? We know it is impossible for God to lie and He has not changed His mind or His word!

When Paul wrote 1st Timothy 2:12-15 he was only reiterating what God had already said in the book of Genesis. And to help us understand that what Paul wrote is true here is what he said in verses 5-7

"For God is one, also there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus, the One having given Himself a ransom on behalf of all, the testimony to be given in its own times; to which I was appointed a herald and apostle---I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie---a teacher of the nations, in faith and truth."

In Revelation 2:18-20 Jesus Himself confirms the word Paul gave concerning women teaching in the assembly.

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira, write: These things says the Son of God, the One having His eyes as a flame of fire, and His feet like burnished metal: I know your works, and the love, and the ministry, and the faith, and your patience, and your works; and the last more than the first. But I have a few things against you, that you allow the woman Jezebel, the one saying herself to be a prophetess, to teach and to cause my servants to err, and to commit fornication, and to eat idol sacrifices."

These scriptures tell us that the church in Thyatira in the first century had a woman named Jezebel who was calling herself a prophetess teaching in the assembly, she seduced them and caused them to fornicate and to eat idol sacrifices. Jesus had this against the church and was admonishing them about it. This truth directly from Jesus lets us know that women are not allowed to teach the men in the church.

1st Timothy 3:1-13

"Faithful is the word: If anyone reaches out to overseership, he desires a good work. Then the overseer must be blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, apt at teaching; not a drinker, not a contentious one, not greedy of ill gain--but gentle, not quarrelsome, not loving money; ruling his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence--but if anyone does not know to rule his own house, how will he care for a church of God?-- not a novice, lest being puffed up he may fall into the judgment of the Devil. But he must also have a good witness from those outside, that he not fall into reproach, and into a snare of the devil.

Likewise, deacons to be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy of ill gain, having the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. And also let these be tested first, then let them serve, being blameless. Likewise, their wives to be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their own households and children well. For those having served well gain a good grade for themselves, and much boldness in faith, those in Christ Jesus."

The first thing that's made very clear concerning overseers and deacons is that they should be husbands of one wife, this truth excludes females from being overseers and deacons in the church.

What is an overseer?

1985. episkopos ep-is'-kop-os from 1909 and 4649 (in the sense of 1983); a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively):--bishop, overseer.

What is a deacon?

1249. diakonos dee-ak'-on-os probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare 1377); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties);--deacon, minister, servant.

What the Lord has shown me over the past few years in the wilderness is that He does not choose females to oversee and teach the entire assembly or to be in positions of authority over men. This is not saying that women are not called by God, given a ministry gift, or gifts of the Spirit, they most definitely are, but they are not called to be apostles, evangelists, shepherds (pastors), teachers, bishops (overseers), elders or deacons (masculine).

Females are called to be prophets as my wife Cynthia has been chosen by the Lord for this office, and they can also be a 'deaconess', which is the feminine word for 'deacon' and both words are English and derived from the Greek word 'Diakonos' and means, 'an attendant or servant', but prophets and deacons (deaconess) don't oversee the entire church, and as a female my wife cannot teach or exercise authority over men.

According to 1st Corinthians 14:1-5 prophets bring edification, exhortation, and comfort to the body of Christ. They can also receive dreams, visions, specific details of a person's life, and prophecies of future events, etc...

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification."

In conclusion, God decreed that man would be the head of woman and that he would rule over her. The scriptures teach us how a husband should love and treat his wife; just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, which is a very high standard to meet, but it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand the wives are called to submit themselves to their husbands as to the Lord and respect them, this can be very hard for women to do when men lord it over them and abuse them etc...

The day is coming very soon when Jesus will restore His church, His body, to the way He designed it and ordered it to be. It's quite obvious to all that the church we see today is out of order and not functioning the way God ordained it to. The sooner we all submit and humble ourselves to His will and to His word the sooner we will see the glory and power of Almighty God come to rest in the midst of the assembly once more!

I encourage all of you to truly pray and fast about this subject, get confirmation from the Lord, seek Him with all your heart and He will be found by you. This is really one topic that can divide the body and the genders, but God wants order, unity, and peace in the body of Christ. And He will have an unspotted and unblemished bride prepared for His Son Jesus.

With All Love And Truth,
Tyrone

The Beast Is Rising! (See Updates)

Revelation 13:1-8

"Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

Pay attention to Revelation 13:3, I believe that we could see the fulfillment of these prophetic scriptures this month July 13th thru July 17th. I heard July 13th and 666 from the Lord at the same time in early 2010, and July 17th in a dream I had a few months ago that included the manifestation of the beast from the sea in the man of lawlessness, better known as 'The AntiChrist'. I believe the deadly wound could occur on July 13th, and the beast from the sea could rise up to enter the host body and be revealed on July 17th.
 
Watch the Omega Code if you haven't seen it, or it's been awhile since you last saw it, the movie is not that accurate scripturally but it gives us a good idea of what some end-time events could look like in the physical. I'm including a link to the movie below.
 
As always, be watchful, read the inspired scriptures, obey them, and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the time is upon us.
 
In The Lord's Army,
Tyrone
 

http://media.tbn.org/wmedia/tbn/gallery/The_Omega_Code.wvx

****UPDATE 7/23/2011****

After writing some of this out last night and praying about what I should say, I heard the Spirit say to me early this morning: "What Your Mistakes Are". In obedience to His word and direction I have written the following:

Mistake Means:

1. an error in action, calculation, opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc.

2. a misunderstanding or misconception. (Dictionary.com)

These past two weeks have truly been a blessing for me, as I’ve spent this time seeking the face of the Lord, repenting, and searching the scriptures. It’s been a great time of learning, correction, maturation, and chastening by the Lord and I am so grateful for His loving-kindness, His patience, and His tender mercies, they will endure forever!

It is clear to all watching and to those who have read this post; that we did not see the deadly wound to the head of the beast and the miraculous healing on the dates the Lord gave me. The truth is that what I ‘believed’ could happen on those dates didn’t occur, and I found that I was in error in my understanding of the scriptures in Revelation 13, specifically Rev. 13:3.

My mistake was leaning on my own understanding and connecting Rev. 13:3 with the words the Lord spoke to me, which were: July 13th, 666 in 2010 and I also heard July 17th in a dream I had a few months ago. What I should have done before I posted anything was pray, fast, and wait on the Lord for more details and clarification on what would actually occur on those dates and ask for scriptures to confirm the words He spoke. Instead, like I have done on a few other occasions, I ran off with the few words He spoke and added my own beliefs and understanding to His words, and in this case I also posted the scriptures that I ‘believed’ could happen on the dates He gave me and not the clear prophetic words from the Lord Himself.

I pray that my mistake will help others who are hearing from the Lord in this hour, and those who are going on to maturity in Christ to learn how to wait on Him and be patient for His clear words and understanding.

Cynthia and I thank God for every reader who has learned something and been edified by the teachings and words the Lord has given us for building up and warning the body of Christ, and we both look forward to ministering to His people and being used in the soon to come end-time harvest of souls.

Jesus is standing at the door, and the Spirit and the bride say, come Lord Jesus! Amen!

With Love In Christ,

Tyrone

******UPDATE 10/24/2011******

While I was meditating at work today the Holy Spirit brought back to my remembrance the dream my wife had after we were praying for confirmation and asking the Lord what would actually occur on July 13th. I wanted to post what the Lord revealed to her at the time but we were not in agreement on it then, we are now, so here it is.

Cynthia's Dream 7/13/11 *(Mature Content)*

I dreamt I was in the spirit and saw a black strong man escaping a prison through a tunnel. He was not moving like a normal person, he was fast and agile as a Spiderman. He went down all the ladder of the tunnel with only a jump and I saw him to almost stop as bending the legs down in front of the man who was cleaning the prison and the man could not see him move.

When he left I was there in my car to give him a ride to a motel. Where it was some streets behind the prison. I was a little worried of having the police to see my car there, but the man was there to stop by to make a fast sex with a prostitute he used to see before. She was a tall pretty brunette woman who I could not understand why she allowed him to come in, she got naked, opened her legs and he came right ahead and what I saw at the end was a kind of 'cup' with the milky sperm of him that she was showing.

I was telling her I could not understand why she allowed that man to do that to her, but she said, "I like this!" So I did not say anything else.

-End Of Dream-

Ao Que Vencer

Por: Tyrone D. Palmer

Traducao: Cynthia R. Palmer

Quarta-feira, 20 de Abril de 2011

This message is also written in English on April 20th, 2011

1 João 5:4-5

"^...porque todo o que é nascido de Deus vence o mundo; e esta é a vitória que vence o mundo: a nossa fé. Quem é o que vence o mundo, senão aquele que crê que Jesus é o Filho de Deus?

Você é um vencedor? Você quer ser um vencedor? Essas duas perguntas sao necessarias a todos os que professam ser cristãos, pois este mundo e tudo que nele ha está acabando.
Jesus prometeu muitas bênçãos para aqueles que vencerem, e você pergunta: Vencer o que? O mundo, a carne, Satanás, fortalezas, forças demoníacas do mal e do pecado, isso citando apenas algumas coisas que precisamos vencer.

O Senhor deseja que todos os seus vasos escolhidos sejam vencedores AGORA, e não apenas quando todos nós chegarmos ao céu! Houveram santos que foram vencedores na igreja do primeiro século e que atingiram a maturidade em Cristo.

1 João 2:12-14

Filhinhos, eu vos escrevo, porque os vossos pecados são perdoados por amor do seu nome. Pais, eu vos escrevo, porque conheceis aquele que é desde o princípio. Jovens, eu vos escrevo, porque vencestes o Maligno. Eu vos escrevi, meninos, porque conheceis o Pai. Eu vos escrevi, pais, porque conheceis aquele que é desde o princípio. Eu escrevi, jovens, porque sois fortes, e a palavra de Deus permanece em vós, e já vencestes o Maligno.

Nos somos chamados para andar como Jesus andou e sermos semelhantes a Sua imagem, seguir os Seus passos e vencer o mundo da mesma forma que Ele venceu.

1 Pedro 2:21

"Porque para isso fostes chamados, porquanto também Cristo padeceu por vós, deixando-vos exemplo, para que sigais as suas pisadas. "

João 16:33

"Tenho-vos dito estas coisas, para que em mim tenhais paz. No mundo tereis tribulações; mas tende bom ânimo, eu venci o mundo"

Jesus disse aos seus discípulos que Nele teriam paz, mas no mundo teriam tribulação, e eles com certeza tiveram, a maioria dos apóstolos originais e discípulos foram martirizados, torturados e perseguidos, MAS Jesus disse-lhes  para terem bom ânimo porque Ele venceu o mundo, e Ele nos chama para fazer o mesmo hoje. Por mais que Jesus tenha sofrido uma morte horrível e vergonhosa na cruz, Ele estava cheio de alegria, porque Ele sabia o que O esperava depois da ressurreição!

Hebreus 12:1-2

^"Portanto, nós também, pois estamos rodeados de tão grande nuvem de testemunhas, deixemos todo embaraço (peso, impedimento, obstaculo, fardo), e o pecado que tão de perto nos rodeia, e corramos com perseverança a carreira que nos está proposta, fitando os olhos em Jesus, autor e consumador da nossa fé, o qual, pelo gozo que lhe está proposto, suportou a cruz, desprezando a ignomínia, e está assentado a direita do trono de Deus".

 No livro do Apocalipse, o Senhor lista muitas bênçãos maravilhosas para aqueles que vencerem, e todos os santos de Deus podem herdar as bênçãos eternas do Espírito agora, e no porvir a vida eterna! Estou postando um vídeo (esta em ingles, mas listei todas as escrituras em portugues para voces entenderem) que fez um trabalho maravilhoso listando todas as escrituras em Apocalipse sobre vencedores. Que todos nós corramos a corrida para receber o prêmio de vencedores!

Escrituras do Video abaixo:

Apocalipse 2:7,11,17 e 26

⁷Quem tem ouvidos, ouça o que o Espírito diz as igrejas. Ao que vencer, dar-lhe-ei a comer da árvore da vida, que está no paraíso de Deus.
¹¹Quem tem ouvidos, ouça o que o Espírito diz as igrejas. O que vencer, de modo algum sofrerá o dano da segunda morte.
¹⁷Quem tem ouvidos, ouça o que o Espírito diz as igrejas. Ao que vencer darei do maná escondido, e lhe darei uma pedra branca, e na pedra um novo nome escrito, o qual ninguém conhece senão aquele que o recebe.
²⁶Ao que vencer, e ao que guardar as minhas obras até o fim, eu lhe darei autoridade sobre as nações,

Apocalipse 3:5,12, e 21

⁵O que vencer será assim vestido de vestes brancas, e de maneira nenhuma riscarei o seu nome do livro da vida; antes confessarei o seu nome diante de meu Pai e diante dos seus anjos.
¹²A quem vencer, eu o farei coluna no templo do meu Deus, donde jamais sairá; e escreverei sobre ele o nome do meu Deus, e o nome da cidade do meu Deus, a nova Jerusalém, que desce do céu, da parte do meu Deus, e também o meu novo nome.
²¹Ao que vencer, eu lhe concederei que se assente comigo no meu trono.

Apocalipse 21:7-8

⁷Aquele que vencer herdará estas coisas; e eu serei seu Deus, e ele será meu filho.
⁸Mas, quanto aos medrosos, e aos incrédulos, e aos abomináveis, e aos homicidas, e aos adúlteros, e aos feiticeiros, e aos idólatras, e a todos os mentirosos, a sua parte será no lago ardente de fogo e enxofre, que é a segunda morte.

Em amor,
Tyrone D. Palmer